Investing in Communities

we're 'investing in Communities'by giving away $80,000 in 2017

We were proud to continue our donation efforts in 2017 with our campaign, 'Investing in Communities.' The biggest change was that we gave away $80,000 to 16 local non-profit organizations.

The campaign was broken up into four phases throughout the year, focusing on different ways we could make a difference in our communities—feeding, protecting, housing, and serving our community members.Non-profits that are within the Michigan counties we serve, or are within 10 miles of a Michigan Independent Bank branch or loan production office, were eligible for nomination (see Official Rules). The four organizations with the most votes in each phase each won $5,000.Non-profits that won during our Investing With You contest in 2015 were not eligible.

View the 'Investing in Communities' campaign recap video below:(Videos for each phase are included under each phase)

Phase 1 - Feeding our Communities

The first phase of the contest focused on feeding our communities, with food banks, food pantries, and soup kitchens being the benefiting organizations.

Timeline:

Nominations – Community members nominated non-profit organizations that met the criteria above on March 1, 2017 at 9 am (EST) through March 8, 2017 at 5 pm (EST) at IndependentBank.com/Investing. To nominate an organization, you must have had a valid Facebook account and be at least 18 years of age.

Voting–Voting began March 15, 2017 at 9 am (EST) and ended March 29, 2017 at 5 pm (EST) at IndependentBank.com/Investing. Voters must have had a valid Facebook account, be at least 18 years of age, and a legal resident of Michigan. Each qualified voter was able to vote up to once per day during the voting period.

Phase 2 - Protecting our Communities

The second phase of the campaign focused on protecting our communities, and supported animal shelters, humane societies, and animal rescue centers.

Timeline:

Nominations – Community members began nominating non-profit organizations that met the criteria above on June 1, 2017 at 9 am (EST) through June 8, 2017 at 5 pm (EST) at IndependentBank.com/Investing. To nominate an organization, you must have had a valid Facebook account and be at least 18 years of age.

Voting–Voting began June 15, 2017 at 9 am (EST) and ended June 29, 2017 at 5 pm (EST) at IndependentBank.com/Investing. To vote, you must have had a valid Facebook account, be at least 18 years of age, and a legal resident of Michigan. Each qualified voter was able to vote up to once per day during the voting period.

Phase 3 - Housing our Communities

The third phase of the contest focused on housing our communities, benefiting homeless shelters, housing projects, and home building groups.

Timeline:

Nominations – Community members nominated non-profit organizations that met the criteria above on September 1, 2017 at 9 am (EST) through September 8, 2017 at 5 pm (EST) at IndependentBank.com/Investing. To nominate an organization, you must have had a valid Facebook account and be at least 18 years of age.

Voting–Voting began September 15, 2017 at 9 am (EST) and ended September 29, 2017 at 5 pm (EST) at IndependentBank.com/Investing. To vote, you must have had a valid Facebook account, be at least 18 years of age, and a legal resident of Michigan. Each qualified voter was able to vote up to once per day during the voting period.

Phase 4 - Serving our Communities

The fourth and final phase of 'Investing in Communities' focused on serving our communities, and benefited veterans programs, military outreach groups, and active duty support services.

Timeline:

Nominations – Community members began nominating non-profit organizations that met the criteria above on November 1, 2017 at 9 am (EST) and ended on November 8, 2017 at 5 pm (EST) at IndependentBank.com/Investing. To nominate an organization, you must have had a valid Facebook account and be at least 18 years of age.

Voting–Voting began November 15, 2017 at 9 am (EST) and ended November 29, 2017 at 5 pm (EST) at IndependentBank.com/Investing. To vote, you must have had a valid Facebook account, be at least 18 years of age, and a legal resident of Michigan. Each qualified voter was able to vote up to once per day during the voting period.